Cerritos College Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE)

The Foster & Kinship Care Education Program is a statewide program that provides a
variety of workshops/training programs for foster parents (parent education), and
specialized training for relative caregivers, including D-Rate (Severely Emotionally
Disturbed), F-Rate (Medically Fragile), Basic and In-service training. FKCE/DCFS Orientations
are offered to support relative care providers with their involvement with child protective
services.

Why is FKCE Important?

The number of children in California's foster care system has grown by more than 50%
from 68,000 to 105,000. The dramatic increase in the state's foster care population
has been attributed to many factors-there are a greater number of children living
in poverty, increasing numbers of parents who abuse alcohol and drugs, and increasing
cases of child abuse and neglect. The FKCE program plays a vital role in providing
licensed foster parents and relative caregivers with the training and education that
will help them in meeting the multifaceted and often complex needs of the foster children
in their care.